Oaxaca, Mexico

Cost of Living in Oaxaca, Mexico

Quick answer: As of 2026, living in Oaxaca costs approximately $800 per month for one person, with city-centre one-bedroom rent averaging $453. Actual costs vary with lifestyle, neighborhood, and exchange rates.

Oaxaca is a city in Mexico, where a single person can expect to spend about $800 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $453 per month, or $291 outside the centre. Internet is workable at around 46 Mbps median download speed. On safety, Oaxaca scores 55/100 — moderately safe for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 82°F and winter highs around 80°F, with roughly 250 sunny days a year.

Top for FestivalTop for Coffee CultureTop for Local MarketTop for SouvenirLGBTQ+ friendlyFamily friendly
Monthly Cost$800≈ $27/day
1BR Rent (Centre)$453
Internet46 Mbps
Safety55/100
Avg Temp81°F

Oaxaca Cost of Living Breakdown

🍽️ Dining

Inexpensive Restaurant$9.61
Mid-Range Restaurant (2 People)$34.94
McDonald's Combo Meal$9.03
Cappuccino$2.91
Domestic Beer (Restaurant)$2.21
Bottled Water (Restaurant)$0.67

🛒 Groceries

Milk (1 Liter)$1.68
Bread (1 lb Loaf)$2.64
Eggs (12)$2.50
Chicken Fillets (1 lb)$3.33
Apples (1 lb)$1.06
Bananas (1 lb)$0.87
Tomatoes (1 lb)$0.85
Potatoes (1 lb)$1.03
Water (1.5L Bottle)$0.87
Wine (Mid-Range Bottle)$12.81
Cigarettes (Marlboro)$4.95

🚌 Transportation

One-Way Ticket$0.50
Taxi Start$4.08
Taxi (1 Mile)$3.28
Gasoline (1 Liter)$1.31
VW Golf (New)$22,538.73

⚡ Utilities & Tech

Basic Utilities (Monthly)$60.15
Mobile Phone Plan$16.02
Broadband Internet$26.21

🎬 Lifestyle

Gym Membership (Monthly)$29.12
Cinema Ticket$4.95
Preschool (Monthly)$446.52
Intl. Primary School (Annual)$21,039.60

👔 Clothing

Jeans (Levi's 501)$61.74
Nike Running Shoes$109.69

🏠 Housing

Rent 1BR (City Centre)$453.01
Rent 1BR (Outside Centre)$291.21
Rent 3BR (City Centre)$698.89
Rent 3BR (Outside Centre)$465.93

📊 Summary

Mortgage Interest Rate10.96%

Cost data sourced from Numbeo.

Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Oaxaca

Internet46 Mbps
Safety55/100
Healthcare45/100
Public Transit25/100
Walkability70/100
Nightlife55/100
Food Scene90/100
Fine Dining0/100
Coffee Culture40/100
Air Quality60/100
Green Spaces40/100
Culture90/100
Beaches0/100
Hiking45/100
Surfing0/100
Coworking Spaces25
US Visa-Free180 days

Oaxaca FAQ

How much does it cost to live in Oaxaca?

A single person should budget around $800 per month in Oaxaca, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs.

How much is rent in Oaxaca?

A one-bedroom apartment in central Oaxaca averages $453 per month, dropping to about $291 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $699.

Is Oaxaca safe?

Oaxaca scores 55/100 on safety, which is moderately safe. Tourist safety is rated 55/100.

How fast is the internet in Oaxaca?

Median download speeds in Oaxaca are around 46 Mbps — workable for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 25 coworking spaces in the city.

Does Mexico offer a digital nomad visa?

Mexico does not currently offer a dedicated digital nomad visa. US passport holders can usually stay 180 days visa-free.

What is the weather like in Oaxaca?

Oaxaca sees summer highs around 82°F and winter highs near 80°F, with about 250 sunny days and 100 rainy days per year.

Oaxaca in our travel guides

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